A Wise Ruler Ought Never To Keep

Men Are More Ready To Offend One Who Desires To Be Beloved Than One Who Wishes To Be Feared.

There Is Nothing So Difficult Or So Dangerous As To Undertake To Change The Order Of Things.

Thus It Happens In Matters Of State; For Knowing Afar Off (which It Is Only Given A Prudent Man To Do) The Evils That Are Brewing, They Are Easily Cured. But When, For Want Of Such Knowledge, They Are Allowed To Grow So That Everyone Can Recognize Them, There Is No Longer Any Remedy To Be Found.

The Answer Is, Of Course, That It Would Be Best To Be Both Loved And Feared. But Since The Two Rarely Come Together, Anyone Compelled To Choose Will Find Greater Security In Being Feared Than In Being Loved.

War Brings Out Thieves And Peace Hangs Them.